We have been in almost constant contact with the Administration, the Legislature and the Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) regarding not only the budget impacts to CAL FIRE and Local 2881, but the Executive Order that promises to enforce furloughs on February 1, 2008.
First of all, the budget negotiations continue. If there is success in the next couple weeks, it is entirely possible that the furlough issue will disappear. However, even if that does not occur, there is a caveat that “essential services” are not impacted. There is an internal process through Agency in which we fully expect CAL FIRE, rightly so, to be declared an essential service.
There has not been an economic crisis of this dimension, nationally, state and local, since the Crash of 1929.
We are focused on working with policymakers to guarantee that the cuts being made do not limit our ability to fulfill our mission. At the end of the day, California benefits from a reliable CAL FIRE.
Stay proud, Stay strong, Stay union
Bob Wolf, President